d. Returning as King, his servants were asked for a report.

1) The judgment was “how much every man had gained by trading.”

2) One came and produced ten pounds – 10 fold return

3) One came and produced five pounds – 5 fold return

4) One came with the original pound – no profit; loss of opportunity; loss of interest

e. The two profitable servants received reward.

1) They were given public commendation as a “good servant”

2) They were given authority over “cities” proportional to their profitability.

f. The “wicked” servant received condemnation and loss

1) What was his was taken away and given to the best

2) He was rebuked and stripped of any honour or reward.

g. The “citizens” were brought before the King and executed.

1) They are called the “enemies” of the King

2) Their execution was horrific and public

III. The responsibility to “work out” our salvation is very serious.

A. It is to be with “fear”

1. Proverbs 8:13 -- The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

2. Proverbs 6:16-19 --These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

3. 1 Peter 1:17 -- And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

B. It is to be with “trembling”

1. 1 Corinthians 2:3-5 -- I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

2. Ephesians 6:5 -- Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ

C. It is because God works in you.

1. Ephesians 3:16-20 -- That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; …that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

2. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 -- For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

3. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 -- All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

D. It is because God works to accomplish His good pleasure in you.

1. Colossians 1:9-12 -- We…do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness

2. 2 Thessalonians 1:11 -- Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power